Elmer Gantry (1960): Articles

Shirley Jones ca. 1955. Shirley Jones movies: 'Elmer Gantry' Oscar winner on TCM A few weeks ago, Shirley Jones, 79, made headlines following the publication of her book of memoirs, concisely titled Shirley Jones: A Memoir. But why the headlines? Does Shirley Jones twerk like Miley Cyrus? Nope. (And that may explain why the release of Jones' book wasn't selected as CNN.com's Top Story of the Day.) So, were The Media and The People interested in Jones' Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Elmer Gantry, or maybe they were curious about her work in several major 1950s musicals and 1960s comedies? Are you insane? Let's just say that the furor had something to do with sweet and innocent all-American bare […]

Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Elmer Gantry Turner Classic Movies' Star of the Month Jean Simmons' film series comes to a close tonight, with the presentation of seven Jean Simmons movies. Directed by veteran Mervyn LeRoy, Home Before Dark is on right now. Next in line is Richard Brooks' Elmer Gantry (1960), which earned Burt Lancaster a somewhat undeserved Oscar. Lancaster gutsily tackles the role of a charlatan traveling preacher, but as was often the case in his career, “gutsy” didn't exactly translate into “truthful.” Simmons, on the other hand, quietly shines as an Aimee Semple McPherson-inspired Christian preacher, and so does Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Shirley Jones as the traveling preacher's pet sex worker. Though hardly as hard-hitting as […]